Retro-Reflective Markers for Optical Tracking in Noisy Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional tracking systems face challenges in accurately tracking objects in dynamic and noisy environments, such as amusement parks, due to interference from intense background illumination and multiple moving objects, which affects their reliability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic signal to noise ratio tracking system that uses electromagnetic radiation and retro-reflective markers to detect and track objects, employing an emitter, a detection camera, and a control system with processing circuitry to monitor and correlate the movement of retro-reflected radiation, enabling precise tracking and control of pyrotechnic shows and other amusement park elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional tracking systems are used in dynamic and noisy environments, then they can detect objects, but their tracking accuracy deteriorates due to interference from intense background illumination and multiple moving objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces retro-reflective markers as intermediary objects attached to targets. These markers actively return emitted electromagnetic radiation directly to the detector, creating a dedicated signal path that distinguishes tracked objects from background interference. The markers serve as mediators between the emitter and detector, ensuring that only radiation from marked objects is tracked, thereby resolving the contradiction between detecting objects and filtering background noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs retro-reflective markers with specific optical properties that selectively reflect electromagnetic radiation back to the detector. These markers effectively 'change' the direction and characteristics of reflected radiation, creating a unique signal signature that differentiates tracked objects from other moving objects and background illumination, thus improving tracking accuracy in noisy environments.
2Reliability
If traditional tracking systems operate in environments with intense background illumination, then they can function, but their reliability deteriorates due to noise filtering difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
Retro-reflective markers act as intermediaries that create a controlled signal path. The markers are specifically designed to return electromagnetic radiation to its source, creating a reliable signal that is independent of background illumination conditions. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the detector receives consistent signals from tracked objects regardless of environmental lighting conditions, thereby improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs active electromagnetic radiation emission and retro-reflection, creating a feedback loop where the emitter's radiation is returned to the detector through the markers. This feedback mechanism ensures that the tracking signal is directly linked to the emitted radiation, making the system's performance independent of ambient background illumination and thereby improving reliability in varying lighting conditions.
3Productivity
If traditional tracking systems attempt to track multiple moving objects, then they can monitor the area, but their efficiency deteriorates due to difficulty in distinguishing and tracking individual objects
Solution Approach 1:
By attaching retro-reflective markers to multiple objects, the system creates distinct signal sources that are easily distinguishable by the detector. Each markered object returns electromagnetic radiation along its specific path, allowing the system to track multiple objects simultaneously without confusion. The markers serve as intermediaries that simplify the distinction between multiple moving objects, thereby improving tracking efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The retro-reflective markers create unique optical signatures for each tracked object based on their position and orientation. This optical differentiation allows the detection camera to easily distinguish between multiple moving objects and track them individually, reducing the complexity of multi-object tracking while maintaining high productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides reliable and efficient tracking and control in complex environments by filtering out noise and accurately detecting retro-reflected signals, allowing for real-time monitoring and control of multiple objects and show effects, even in the presence of high noise levels.
Implementation Method 1
the ordnance has a retro-reflective marker positioned on the enclosure and configured to retro-reflect the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter
Data Source
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AI summary
A dynamic signal to noise ratio tracking system enables detection and tracking of amusement park equipment within the field of view of the tracking system. The tracking system may include an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation within an area, a detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected back from show elements within the area, and a control unit configured to evaluate signals from the detector to determine whether the show elements are to be adjusted.